CMLC Announces Innovative New Development in East Village

CMLC ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE NEW DEVELOPMENT IN EAST VILLAGECommunity Parking and Innovators…come together in one-of-a-kind building

(CALGARY, AB) • Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) – the master developer of East Village – has announced many development projects over the last ten years and today in the community where Calgary’s future is unfolding, a strategic future-focused development is coming to life in partnership with Calgary Parking Authority (CPA) and Platform. The approximately $80 million-dollar project will combine a 500+ stall, across 5-levels with a space for Calgary innovators called Platform.

The development, situated along 9th Avenue SE at 3rd Street SE, has been designed to not only service the parking needs for its downtown neighbours in East Village, like the New Central Library and Studio Bell, but also accommodates multi-modal users with ample bike parking and has been designed to allow for full conversion of the building as future generations of Calgarians lessen their reliance on traditional parking structures with the increase in autonomous vehicles.

“The 9th Avenue Parkade is an innovation in the design of structured parking, says Shelley Trigg, acting general manager, Calgary Parking Authority. “Our business model is changing rapidly and we need to be open and responsive as the demand for parking shifts. Our intention is to provide parking structures that can service today’s needs but have the ability to convert into residential, commercial or mixed-use space.”

Aligned with the master plan for East Village and CMLC’s commitment of creating mixed-use developments, Platform is fully integrated into the design of the parkade and will serve as a multi-use space for learning, projects, makers and community. This innovation centre designed for everyone will help the city’s best minds and ideas move forward, turning concepts into entrepreneurial opportunities and scale local businesses into international success stories. Platform will occupy part of the main floor and the entire second floor of the future-focused parkade.

Native Calgarian, veteran tech entrepreneur and Platform Founder Brad Zumwalt, says, “Our job is to support and work with all the great people and organizations working to increase the participation of Calgary in the global digital economy. We want to inspire the next generation of Calgarians with ideas. This is an investment by our community, for our community, to create jobs and economic growth in Calgary, and a place where future generations can live, work and find success here in our city.”

Designed by architects Kasian and 5468796, the building’s design allows for future conversion of the space into commercial or residential uses through such considerations as increased floor to ceiling heights which are one and half times that of traditional parkades; a central atrium space that allows for natural light to penetrate through the building; and a responsible long-term approach that allows for the re-purposing of the existing building structure into future uses. CMLC will work with CPA to create a roadmap that will guide future conversion of the space.

“The 9th Avenue Parkade together with Platform is an example of the forward-thinking projects for which East Village is now synonymous, says Michael Brown, president and CEO, CMLC. “The inclusion of Platform into the parkade design creates a home base for a concentration of smart, creative Calgarians living, working and creating in the community. This is exactly the type of energy we have imagined for East Village when we started the redevelopment program 10 years ago.”

The 9th Avenue Parkade and Innovation Centre, slated to break ground in 2019 and will be project managed by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation The project will comprise a total of approximately 250,000 square feet and will be accessed directly off 9th Avenue at 3rd Street SE creating a central point for visitors heading into the downtown core and East Village.

About Platform

Calgary’s new innovation centre – Platform – helps move the city’s best minds and ideas forward, turning concepts into entrepreneurial opportunities and scale local businesses into international success stories. Opening Fall 2020 in Calgary’s vibrant East Village, Platform will be a multi-use space for learners, projects, makers and community. Platform is The Innovation Centre for Everyone.

For more information about how you can get involved and help support Platform to shape innovation in Calgary, visit www.platformcalgary.com

East Village

Imagined as a mixed-use, amenity-rich master-planned neighbourhood in the downtown core, East Village will be home to more than 11,000 residents upon completion in 2027. With local amenities like RiverWalk, St. Patrick’s Island, the New Central Library, National Music Centre and an urban shopping centre, East Village has become a highly desirable neighbourhood in Calgary’s downtown core.